Material-handling apparatus



Dec. 15, 1953 Filed sept. 9, 195o C. W. RUTH MATERIAL-HANDLING APPARATUS2 Shees-Sheet l /NVENroR C. W RU TH ATTORNEY Dec. l5, 1953 c. w. RUTHMATERIAL-HANDLING APPARATUS n N E l /NVENroR c. w RU TH @Y Arron/ver 2Sheets-Sheet 2 III Filed Sept. 9, 1950 Patented Dec. 15, 1953 UNITEDPATENT F ICE f `MATERIALHANDLING .APPARATUS l `Charles W. Ruth,Baltimore, .Md., assigznor 'to 'WesternElectric Company, Incorporated,New York, .N. Y., a, corporation-of :New York Applicationseptember 9,1950, Serial-No. 184:07-3

l .8 Claims. (Cl. 294-103) This invention relates to material-.handlingapparatus, and more particularly to Zg-rapples for engaging and liftingsolid materials of `various sizes.

There are innumerable instances in industry where solidimaterials arestacked in storagafand it is .necessary for this material to :be pickedup .by some such agency as a .traveling crane to be transported to anddeposited at some point .of .use or consumption. Thus, to give yaparticular illustration, in the manufacture of electrical cablescoveredwith anextruded lead or lead alloy sheath, one or more kettlesmay belocated near a .plurality of extrusion presses for melting randsupplying molten metal yto the presses. The metal to .be vmelted willordinarily be `stored in .the form of pigs at a nearby point, and willbe transported in .batches .by a traveling `.crane .and a conveyer, vasrequired, from that point to the several kettles.

yAn object of .this invention is to yprovide .new and improvedmaterial-.handling apparatus.

vA further objectof the invention is to ,provide new and improvedgrapples for handling articles of various sizes.

Another object vof the invention is to .provide arsimply constructed,sturdy-andreliable grapple which may be used .in conjunction with .ahoist .or Acrane for engaging andlifting articles, such .as -pigsofmetal, `particularly wheresuch pigs of metal may be used .indifferentstandardsizesfor different operations.

With these .and other objects in view, an apparatus illustrating certainfeatures of .the 2in.- vention may -comprise a, .pa'ir of relativelymovable jaws, means for lifting `Said jaws and means actuated by .thelifting `means for imparting straight-line reciprocatory movement to.open and close the jaws.

Other objects and features of the invention ,clearly aappear from the.following detailed :description ,of .an..apparatus :forming .specificembodiments thereof, when .read in `conjunction .with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is :a side elevation `view .of a pig metal .grapple constructedinaccordance .with .the in.-` Vvention and shown .secured .to a ytravelingrcrane ainder operating conditions; f

Fig. .2 .is na .plan elevation view lof .the .grapple .illustrated .inEig. 1, .with .portionsof the .guide- Ways .broken away;

Fig. .13 y.is .a .verticalsectional .view taken along the :lines .3 3.of Fig. 2, vlooking linthe ,direction .of the arrows; l

Fig. 4 a .sectional view .corresponding with .-Fig..? butwiththegrapplejaws .securedin open positions;

A Figrv isa perspective .view ofthe grapple illustrated in Fig. v2, with.a .portion .o`f`, a 4guide.way brokenaway, .and y Eig. .6 .is a.cross-.sectional view corresponding withLFig. 4, .of an .alternateembodiment of 'the device.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1,.agr-apple I0 is adapted `to be secured to a traveling electric 4hoistIl and its .depending .pulley l2, which .travel on anofver# headtransverse-track :I3 and a pairof longituf ,dinal -tracks |4|,4. .Aswitch l5., .which isse- .cured toadepending cable I6, permits an oper-.ator to control the electric hoist Il in .a `convenient manner. Metal.pigs Il-ll may be stored at a depot .I8 from which they may .be takenin `a batch la, .elevated and placed .upon .a conveyor 2:0 fortransportation to .a melting kettle (not shown).

The embodiment of the grappleillustrated Figs. 2 through 5, includes apair of .parallel frame members Zl-.ZI having U-.shaped ,guide- Ways2,2-22 for receivingia pair of .rollers '.,2'3-23 which are adapted torotate .on the` extremities of .a transversely reciprocable shaft .23.An elongated L-shaped lfixed 4jaw 2.5 fis .secured to `and dependent.from one .endof the frame Vmemrbers .'2.|--2I, .and a .cooperatingelongated L- shaped movable 'jaw 26 Ais dependent from and .is securedtothe shaft `2li .by a plurality of supporting members 21-21.. A 'metallifting ring .28, which isadapted to be engaged'by the pulley l2 of the.electric hoist I l, is associated with 'the xed jaw 25 and the .movablevjawZt by a toggle mechanism comprising a 'first lpair of .angularlinking arms 2'9--19 -and a second pair of angular linking arms 3-31,each of which is ,"journaled upon a .shaft 31 which serves asa pivotpoint for the toggle mechanism and is secured to the metal ring 28 bya'bra'cket 32 and a pair of nuts 33.-33. vThe second pair of linkingarms ,30-30 are journaled yupon 'the shaft 24, .andthe first Ipair oflinking arms 2'9-29 arejournaled .upon a `fixed .shaft 34 secured .tothe parallel frame members 2'l--2`l at points 3 5-'35. "The fixed .shaft.34 also cooperates witha cross-'bar 36 located at the opposite end ofvthe'framemembers 21-21 to secure rthe .frame members Z1-H in spacedparallel relation.

Other structural features of the device are designed-to .control themovements o'f .the ,movable jaw 2E. .A pair of .triangular stops 3.1-31.are adapted to bear against the .lower surfaces of .the frame .members-2I-2.l to nullify any tenfd- .ency of the movable jaw "26 to rotate .in1.a, counterclockwise `direction when the grapple is carrying a load. Inan analogous manner, 'the ends of a .shaft .38,.which extend through andis secured to the supporting .members .Z1-'2.1, travel Within theguideways y-2222 and .thus compensate for any tendency -;of Athe jaw .torotate in clockwise direction. f

The movable `jaw 22:5 may be secured yin an extended, open jaw position-at :lits end :of fthe 'frame members "2l- '21, .by .a .latch mechanismcomprising a pair of arms 39-439 havingia pair of hooks 40-40 which areadapted to iengage the "shaft 24, whicheissecuredltothe =jaw J26. 'Thelatch arms 39-39 are secured to each other by a latch bar 4|, and theentire latch mechanism is pivotally secured to the frame cross-bar 36 bya shaft 42 which is journaled within a plurality of trunnions 43--43secured to the crossbar 36. A guide-bar 44, which is secured to the endsof the frame members 2 |-2| just above the cross-bar 36, is provided toassist the operator in grasping the latch-bar 4| and to assist incontrolling horizontal movements of the grapple when it is in anelevated position.

Operation In the operation of the device, the grapple I may be used totransfer the batch I9 of metal pigs from the storage depot |8 of suchpigs ll-I'I onto the conveyor 20 for transportation to a melting kettle(not shown), which supplies a cable sheathing press (not shown), as isillustrated in Fig. 1. As the electric hoist lowers the grapple I0 overthe metal pigs |1|`| in the storage depot I6 preparatory to picking up aload, the fixed jaw and the movable jaw 26 will normally be secured inan extended open jaw portion, as is illustrated in Fig. 4. In thisposition, the rollers 23-23 will have traveled in the guideways 22-22 ofthe frame members 2|-2| until the jaw 26 and its associated shaft 24 areat the extremities of the frame members 2|-2|, where the shaft 24 hasbecome engaged by the latch hooks 40-40.

The electric hoist and the guide-bar 44 are then employed to positionthe grapple I0 over the top layer of the metal pigs I'-I'i with thefixed jaw 25 engaging the lips of the pigs I'|-|`|. To close the jaws 25and 26 upon the metal pigs |l'-I'|, the operator pulls the latchbar 4|toward the guide-bar 44 causing the latch hooks 40-40 to become detachedfrom the transversely reciprocable shaft 24 thus releasing the movablejaw 26, after which the operator actuates the electric hoist II. As thehoist elevates the pulley I2, the jaws 25 and 26 are drawn together` bythe toggle action of the angular linking arms 29-29 and 30-30 pivotingupon the shaft 3|, whereby the movable J'aw 26 travels toward the fixedjaw 25 with a straight line motion which is controlled by the rollers 23of the reciprocable shaft 24 traversing the guideways 22-22 0f framemembers 2|-2|, un-

til the jaws 25 and 26 assume the closed and loaded position illustratedin Fig. 3.

In releasing a load, it is merely necessary to actuate the electrichoist to lower the pulley I2 until the load, such as a batch I9 of metalpigs |l'-|'| is resting upon a solid surface, such as the conveyor 26.As the frame members 2|-2I are thus supported, continued downward motionof the metal ring 28 will automatically cause the jaws 25 and 26 to openby the toggle action of the angular linking arms Z6- 29 and 30-30, whichpivot upon the shaft 3|. Since the pair of the linking arms 29-29 isjournaled upon the fixed shaft 34 at one extremity of the frame members2|-2| and the pair .of linking arms 30-30 is journaled upon thetransversely reciprocable shaft 24, which is secured to the movable jaw26, the jaw 26 will be urged toward the opposite extremity of the framemembers 2|-2|, being guided by the rollers 23-23 on the ends of theshaft 24 traveling within the guideways 22-22, until the shaft 24 passesunder the latch arms 39-39 and becomes engaged by the latch hooks 40-40.The operator completes the releasing operation by applying a horizontalforce to the guide-bar 44 to move the fixed jaw 25 away from the lips ofthe metal pigs.

Alternate embodiment In an alternative embodiment of the device,illustrated in cross-section in Fig. 6, a frame member |2| is providedwith a U-shaped guideway |22 for receiving a pair of elongated L- shapedmovable jaws |25 and |26. The jaws |25 and |26 are secured to a metallifting ring |28 by a toggle mechanism comprising an angular linking arm|29 and an angular linking arm |30, which are mutually pivotally securedto the metal ring |28 by a shaft |3| and a bracket |32. The linking arm|29 is journaled upon a transversely movable shaft |34, which is securedto the movable jaw |25, and the linking arm |30 is journaled upon atransversely movable shaft |24, which is secured to the movable jaw |26.Like members shown in cross-section in Fig. 6 and described herein, havecorresponding members not shown, as in the case of Fig. 4.

A cross-bar |36 serves to retain the frame member |2| in parallel spacedrelation with the corresponding frame member which is not shown in thecross-sectional view of Fig. 6. The cross-bar |36 also acts as a stop toprevent the movable jaw |26 from traveling beyond the ends of the framemembers. In a similar manner, a cross-bar |45 functions as a stop forthe movable jaw |25 and cooperates with the cross-bar |36 in securingthe frame members in spaced parallel relation. The jaw |26 may besecured against the stop member |36 by a latch arm |39, which ispivotally secured to the member |36 and has a hook |40 for engaging thetransversely movable shaft |24. A latch arm |48 having a hook |49 issimilar in construction to the latch arm |39 and the hook |40, andserves to secure the jaw |25 against the cross-bar |45 by engaging themovable shaft |34.

An interior stop member |46 is secured within the guideway |22 near thecenter portion of the frame member |22 to control the inward movement ofthe jaw 25. In a similar manner, a stop member |41 limits the motion ofthe jaw |26. By limiting the inward movement of the jaws |25 and |26,the stop members |46 and |41 prevent the entire frame from becomingunbalanced when the grapple is in an elevated position.

Operation of alternate embodiment In the operation of the alternativeembodiment of the device, after the hook members |40 and |49 havereleased the shafts |24 and |34, the jaws |25 and |26 may be drawntoward each other by the toggle action of the lifting ring |28 and thepivoted linking arms |29 and |30, the movement of the jaws |25 and |26being limited to a straight-line by the guideway |22. The togglemechanism acts upon both movable jaws, instead of upon one movable jawand the frame as in the case of the preferred embodiment of the device.It is readily apparent that the operation of the alternative form of thedevice having both jaws movable, is in otherrespects substantially thesame as the operation of the preferred embodiment of the inventionwherein one of the jaws is fixed.

The advantages of the grapples herein disclosed are manifest uponconsideration of their ease of operation and simplicity of construction.The straight-line reciprocatory type action of the gripping jaws isparticularly suitable for use in engaging slab-like objects of varyinglengths, such as pigs of metal. Moreover, during such straight-linemotion the lips of the grinning ,iaws remain constantly parallel to eachother. It is evident that such parallel relationship assures a positivegripping action when metal pigs are handled, without the danger ofhaving loads slip from the jaws, which is attendant in using a grapplein which one or both jaws pivot during an arcuate opening and closingmotion.

What is claimed is:

1. A grapple comprising a frame, a fixed jaw and a cooperating movablejaw mounted on said frame, means mounted on the frame for guiding themovable jaw in a straight-line reciprocatory motion toward and away fromthe stationary jaw, lifting means located above the frame, and togglemeans secured to the lifting means for actuating the movable jawcomprising a first link and a second link mutually pivotally secured tothe lifting means, said first link also being secured pivotally anddirectly to the frame and said second linking means also being securedpivotally and directly to the movable iaw. whereby actuation of thelifting means imparts relative straight-line motion to the movable jawto open and close the iaws.

2. A grapple comprising a frame, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw mountedon said frame, means mounted on the frame for guiding the movable jaw ina straight-line reciprocatory motion toward and away from the stationaryjaw, means mounted on the movable jaw for maintaining said movable jawat a constant angle with resnect to the xed jaw, lifting means locatedabove the frame, and a pair of links connected pivotally together to thelifting means. the free ends of the links being pivotally connecteddirectly to the frame and the movable jaw.

3. A grapple comprising a frame, a xed jaw and a cooperating movable.iaw mounted on said frame, means mounted on the frame for guiding themovable jaw in a straight-line reciprocatory motion toward and away fromthe xed jaw, means mounted on the movable jaw for maintaining saidmovable jaw at a constant angle with respect to the xed jaw, liftingmeans located above the frame, toggle means secured to the lifting meansfor actuating the movable jaw comprising a rst and a second linkmutually pivotally secured to the lifting means, said i-lrst link alsobeing pivotally and directly secured to the frame and said second linkalso beiner pivotally and directly secured to the movable jaw wherebyactuation of the lifting means imparts relative straight-line motion toopen and close the jaws, and means mounted on the frame for securing thejaws in an open position.

4. A grapple comprising a pair of spaced parallel frame members, anelongated L-shaped xed jaw secured to one end of said frame members, acooperating elongated L-shaped relatively movable jaw mounted on theframe members, means mounted on the frame members for guiding themovement of the movable jaw in a straight-line reciprocatory motiontoward and away from the fixed jaw, means carried with the movable jawfor maintaining the movable jaw at a constant angle with respect to thefixed jaw, lifting means positioned above the frame members, linkagemeans secured to the lifting means for actuating the movable jawcomprising a rst and a second link mutually pivotally secured to thelifting means, said rst link also being pivotally and directly securedto the frame and said second link also being pivotally and directlysecured to the movable jaw whereby actuation of the lifting meansimparts relative straight-line motion to open and close the jaws, and alatch pivotally secured to one end of said frame members for retainingthe movable jaw in an open position.

5. A grapple, which comprises a pair of channels, means securing thechannels rigidly in parallel positions, an L-shaped jaw depending fromthe channels in a position extending transversely to the channels andsecured against pivotal movement with respect to the channels, a pair ofcarriages mounted for movement along the channels, a second jaw securedto the carriages, a clevis,-a link pivotally secured at one end withrespect to the first-mentioned jaw and pivotally secured at the otherend to the clevis, and a second link pivotally secured at one enddirectly to the second-mentioned jaw and pivotally secured at the otherend directly to the clevis and the other link.

6. A grappling device, which comprises a guideway, a jaw mounted on theguideway, a second jaw mounted slidably on the guideway toward and awayfrom the first-mentioned jaw, means secured to the jaws preventingpivotal movement between the jaws and the guideway, a. link securedpivotally at one end to the rstmentioned jaw, a second link securedpivotally at one end to the second-mentioned jaw, and hoisting meanssecuring the other ends of the links pivotally together to form alinkage therewith.

7. A grappling device, which comprises a guideway, a jaw xed rigidly tothe guideway at one end thereof, a second jaw mounted slidably on theguideway toward and away from the firstmentioned jaw, means secured tothe second jaw preventing pivotal movement between the second jaw andthe guideway, a link secured pivotally at one end to the guideway, asecond link secured pivotally at one end to the second jaw, and hoistingmeans securing the other ends of the links pivotally together to form alinkage therewith.

8. A grapple, which comprises a pair of channels, means securing thechannels rigidly in parallel, oppositely facing positions, an L-shapedjaw depending from the channels. in a position extending transversely tothe channels and secured rigidly to the channels, a pair of carriagesmounted for movement along the channels, a second jaw secured to thecarriages, a clevis, a link secured at one end pivotally with respect tothe inst-mentioned jaw and secured pivotally at the other end to theclevis, and a second link secured at one end pivotally to thesecond-mentioned jaw and secured at the other end pivotally to theclevis and the other link.

CHARLES W. RUTH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 642,796 Jones Feb. 6, 1900 1,677,874 Smith July 17, 19281,733,084 Schmidt et al Oct. 22, 1929 1,717,006 Cartwright June 11, 19292,337,178 Breslav Dec. 21, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date196,162 Germany Mar. 7. 1908 679,790 Germany Aug. 12, 1939

